THE WAR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1467, 30 May 1905, Page 2

THE WAR.

THE NAVAL BATTLE.

By Telegraph—Press; Association—Copyright London, May 28.

A Router message reports that on Saturday a groat naval battle was proceeding in tho Korea Straits.

Router’s Agency at Washington reports that on Saturday tho American Consul at Nagasaki cabled : Ono Russian battleship and five other Russian ships wero sunk in tho Koroan 3traits,

Later.—Router’s agency at Tsingtan reports that on Saturday a great naval battle was proceeding in the Korea Straits, noar Ossitna.

Mr Grisoom, United States Minister at Tokio, has roportod to his Government that tho Japanese Admiralty has announced that tho fighting strength of the Baltic fleet was sighted on Saturday morning, heading for Tsushima Strait.

FIGHTING ON LAND.

By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright London, May 28.

Tokio reports state that tho Japanese cavalry on tho 25th occupied Hsumienoheng, 18 miles north of Changtu. Famine prevails at Sakhalion. Many of the inhabitants are eating dogs. There is no flour on tho island.

BEFORE THE BATTLE.

HOW THE RUSSIANS MANOEUVRE.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copy fig h Received 9.34 p.m., May 29. It was reported at Chifu' that three Russian armoured cruisers and several coiliers wero off Shanghai on Friday. The indications are that Admiral Boshdeßtvensky sent a sufEcent number of ships to the vicinity of Shanghai to produce the impression that the main squadron was there, whereas the bulk of the fleet boldly proceeded to the strait southward of Tsushima. There were several colliers at Shanghai on Saturday. As faßt as their cargoes were consumed the vessels were dismissed and returned to Europe. The best available information at Chifu is that the main portion of Admiral Togo’s fleet was almost constantly at Masampho. It is believed at Tokio that the fleet at Saddle Islands comprised Admiral Roshdestvensky’s main fighting strength. After coaling they approached the Straits in two squadron*. The news of the impending battle was received at Tokio with elation, the people being confident that Admiral Togo would win a crowning victory. It is generally admitted that part of the Baltic fleet is bound to reach Vladivostok. Hopes are contred in seriously crippling the main fighting ships.

DISJOINTED REPORTS.

HOW THE JAPANESE KEPT SILENCE.

RUSSIANS PUT TO FLIGHT.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Received 10.32 p.m., May 29. London, May 29.

The silence in Tokio regarding the battle was well kept throughout Sunday. It announced ..that nothing is likely to be divulged for 24 hours. The newspapers are under absolute censorship and the cable stations are closed to newspapers’ despatches, the Government being determined to prevent information of the slightest value reaching St. Petersburg. Advices at Washington, received from Pekin, state that Admiral Rushdestvensky has been defeated „and is fleeing northwards. It is believed the sunken vessels include the battleships Borodino and Orel and three cruisers, and a repair ship.

Komura has informed the Powers that the fleet engaged and held the Baltic fleet in the Koroan Straitt. The Borodina was sunk.

Russian advices from Shanghai stat<» that the Vladivostok squadron participaf. in the battle.

Shanghai advices of Sunday’s date report that five Russian battleships, three cruisers and seven destroyers were off Tsushima on Saturday, in a fog, which cleared off in the afternoon.

A Chifu report, dated Sunday, states that tho Japanese Consul’s private advices from Korea stats the main portion of. the Baltic fleet mot and engaged the Japanese squadron in the Straits on Saturday afternoon.